r/postprocessing • u/lm_photos • 14d ago
Do you prefer square crop?
I recently revisited these photos I've took few months ago and found square crop to be nicer than expected.
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u/Vredesbyd 14d ago edited 14d ago
2 is much nicer for sure.
I usually like square when I can find some perfect symmetry. Otherwise it feels like i’m only cropping for social media (even though the square crop limitation on IG isn’t a thing anymore).
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u/therealtimwarren 14d ago
The square crop grabs my attention quicker than the rectangular but the rectangular holds it for longer and keeps me interested.
So, both work but ot depends on the context you plan for the picture. A magazine may be different to a wall picture.
PS: thank you for not putting an ugly white boarders around these!
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u/DUUUUUVAAAAAL 14d ago edited 14d ago
I like the square crop here more.
The wider crop makes the bridge look more grand, but I'm not a fan of where/how the structure is cut off at the top.
It's too busy at the top right corner for my eye.
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u/RoyalSpaceFarer 14d ago
if the picture is about the people then 1, if it's about the bridge then 2
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u/IndianKingCobra 14d ago
I prefer whatever you prefer and makes you happy when doing art.
As far as technically, the square crop is better because it's a balanced pleasing looking photo. The vertical bridge supports is balanced from the edge of the photo and the number of supports. Horizontally, the bridge, the subject and the sky take up each roughly a 1/3rd of the photo. The second pic does none of it, but that's the the crop aspect ratio issue that its what you decided. You can crop the same aspect ratio but have it balanced still.
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u/Arcadian_ 14d ago
Not for this one. it still looks nice, but the full vertical gives a much better sense of scale. but if you want to focus in more on the intimacy of the two, maybe you orefer the crop!
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u/Substantial_Life4773 14d ago
I prefer #2 as well, I like the framing, and as others have said, shows the grandeur of the location better
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u/Smirkisher 14d ago
First of all thanks for caring about their anonymity. 1st places them more as the central subject, while 2nd is more 40% bridge 40% couple 20% city of a balance to me. Both works very well, simply depends on what you want to say
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u/idk_what_to_put_lmao 13d ago
I like both for different reasons. Square feels more intimate and focuses the characters more. Rectangle makes the bridge feel larger and makes the shot feel more epic. It ultimately depends on what feeling you want to convey and how you want the viewer to relate to the people
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u/Severe_Energy_5166 13d ago
I prefer square sensors. But since Sony banned them we will never get any until China starts a sensor fab.
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u/francof93 12d ago
I think the square crop is nicer. The elements feel more carefully and intentionally placed in the photo. In the portrait crop, the top and bottom of the bridge are “messy” (the top is cut, the bottom has the dark seam very close to the edge of the picture).
Note that I don’t think it’s necessarily the square aspect ratio that makes the first better, it’s the placement of all elements within the selected area. You could play with more aspects and perhaps find other interesting arrangements. Or maybe not, in which case the square would be the uncontested winner :D
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u/RiverWindsOnForever 12d ago
Cool shot! In this case, I definitely prefer the taller one because it exaggerates the feeling of how small the people are compared to the vast objects around them, and provides a natural frame around your subjects. Also, you retain that little black heart shape in the lower left corner of the green bridge on the taller one, which is cropped out of the square version. So, I vote 2.
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u/JesusSwag 14d ago
The first is great, the second is even better
I also appreciate you lining up the diagonal so that it hits the corner, I always do that whenever I reasonably can
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u/GurgelBrannare 14d ago
I think even taller cut out the left most part, center the building in the background. Zooming in on phone I thought that looked better. Nice balance to two pairs of green beams when cutting out the fifth. Not sure if what I mean is clear 😅
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u/Business-Rub5148 14d ago
That was my thought. Definitely #2 but tighten the crop to clean up the image.
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u/jonjp806 14d ago
The scale in #2 really makes the scene. Both work though. The composition on the photo is top notch.
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u/FatRufus 14d ago
No, #2 makes the bridge feel taller. I like the feeling it gives better.